Some Keys to Good Nutrition for Toddlers (One- to Three-Year-Olds)

Offer whole-grain breads, cereal, crackers, rice or pasta for at least half of the grain servings each day. For example, if MyPlate calls for six grain servings, make sure at least three of the six servings are from whole grains.

MyPlate for Toddlers

Recommen​ded Servings

Recommended servings are based on a 1,000- to 1,400-calorie food plan. A toddler's needs will vary depending on age and activity level. To create an individual plan for your toddler, log on to choosemyplate.gov, click on "Daily Food Plans," then choose the age of your toddler.

Protein Foods: 2- to 4-ounce equivalents (or the amount of a food that has a similar nutrition value as 4 ounces of meat).

Count as 1-ounce equivalent:

1 ounce lean meat, fish or poultry

1 egg

1 slice lunch meat

1 tablespoon peanut butter

¼ cup cooked kidney, pinto or garbanzo beans

Fruits: 1–1.5 cups

Count as 1 cup:

1 cup (8 ounces) 100% juice

1 medium banana or orange

1 small apple

1 cup canned fruit

½ cup dried fruit

Vegetables: 1–1.5 cups

Count as 1 cup:

1 cup raw vegetables

1 cup cooked vegetables

2 cups raw, leafy vegetables

1 cup (8 ounces) 100% juice

Grains: 3- to 5-ounce equivalents (or the amount of a food that has a similar nutrition value as 3–5 ounces of a grain).

Count as 1-ounce equivalent:

1 slice bread

1 cup ready-to-eat cereal

½ cup cooked cereal, rice or pasta

1 "mini" bagel

1 small tortilla, 6 inches in diameter

1 pancake, 4½ inches in diameter

Most cakes, pies, cookies, soft drinks, sugar, honey, candy, jams, jellies, gravies, butter and sour cream have either an oil or solid fat and may be loaded with simple sugars. Offer them sporadically and in moderation; offer only if the child needs extra calories after eating the nutritious foods.

MyPlate
(A Guide to Daily Food Choices for the Toddler)

Dairy

2 Cups

Vegetables

1–1.5 Cups

Protein Foods

2- to 4-Ounce Equivalents

Fruits

1–1.5 Cups

Grains

3- to 5-Ounce Equivalents

When One Food, or Group of Foods, Is the Only Item a Child Will Eat

Understand that this is a normal phase and that the child will grow out of it.

Know that, often, the child is in a resting stage of the growth process.

Understand that the best way to get through this period is to offer the child many foods, providing his or her special food on occasion.

Know that, when the child is hungry, he or she will eat, no matter what food is served.

Choices for a Healthy Future

Recognize that eating should be a good experience.

Understand that some children do not want to try new foods.

Try to offer just one new food at a time, and do not mix foods.

Know that serving one favorite food with one new food often helps the child try the new food.

Try to offer fun foods that the child can eat with his or her fingers.

Allow the toddler to help prepare foods. Little ones can sprinkle cheese, place raisins on top or spread peanut butter.

Use cookie cutters to form unique shapes in bread, shake up beverages and roll up tortillas.

Keep a bowl of fruit on the table, counter or refrigerator so the child can view it as an option. Good food at a young age plays a role later in life. Your child is only a toddler once.

Resources

Jana, L.A. and Shu, J. (2008). Food Fights: Winning the Nutritional Challenges of Parenthood Armed with Insight, Humor, and a Bottle of Ketchup. Elk Grove Village: American Academy of Pediatrics.

To print a fact sheet, use the "Print" command in your browser. You may then either print the fact sheet or save it as a PDF. Best printed in Google Chrome.

Social Media

Locate An Office

We connect with people in all stages of life, from young children to older adults. We work with families and children, farmers and businessowners, community leaders and elected officials to build better lives, better businesses and better communities to make Ohio great.

CFAES provides research and related educational programs to clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis. For more information, visit cfaesdiversity.osu.edu. For an accessible format of this publication, visit cfaes.osu.edu/accessibility.